The Joke Silva One — Legacy & Rebirth of Nigeria’s National Theatre | One2One (S3 E5)

Joke Silva MFR joins Tokunbo Shitta-Bey on one2one to reflect on her legendary career across stage, screen, and culture — and on the legacy and rebirth of Nigeria’s iconic National Theatre, now the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture & Creative Arts.

In this special episode, Joke Silva MFR — actress, director, cultural icon, and one of Nigeria’s most enduring creative voices — reflects on a remarkable career spanning theatre, television, and film.

From her formative years on stage to her leadership in Nigeria’s creative industries, she shares deep insights on the evolution of Nollywood, the rebirth of the National Theatre, and the future of the performing arts in Africa.

Together, they explore how passion, professionalism, and purpose can inspire the next generation of cultural and creative excellence — and what the newly refurbished Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture & Creative Arts means for Nigeria’s creative economy.

0:00 Intro – Welcome to One2One
0:22 Meet Joke Silva – A Legend of Stage and Screen
1:15 Discovering Acting During Her A-Levels
2:45 From Medical Aspirations to the World of Theatre
4:05 Early Career – Breaking into Stage and Television
6:20 Building a Voice for African Storytelling
8:00 The Art of Longevity – Sustaining Relevance for Decades
9:50 Acting with Integrity, Grace, and Discipline
11:35 The Evolution of Nigeria’s Film Industry (Nollywood)
13:20 Mentoring the Next Generation of Performers
15:05 The Role of Faith, Family, and Partnership in Her Journey
17:15 Lessons from a Life on Stage and Screen
18:50 The Legacy of Joke Silva – Purpose Beyond Fame
20:10 Final Reflections – Storytelling as a Tool for Nation Building

🎞️ Note: This is the broadcast (30-minute) edition of The Joke Silva One, premiering in sync with its live TV airing.
Watch the extended one-hour edition — featuring additional insights and behind-the-scenes reflections — here:
👉    • The Joke Silva One — Legacy & Rebirth of N...  

💬 Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge the Bankers’ Committee for their tremendous work on the restoration of the newly refurbished Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture & Creative Arts (formerly the National Theatre, Lagos) — and for their continued commitment to advancing Nigeria’s creative economy.

Excerpts from the Bankers’ Committee / SANEF Creatives Ltd documentary “The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture & Creative Arts: Historic Restoration” (2025) are used under fair-dealing provisions for cultural commentary.

ℹ️ About One2One
One2One is a flagship conversation series featuring in-depth discussions with Africa’s most visionary leaders, innovators, and cultural trailblazers — individuals shaping the continent’s future through ideas, creativity, and purpose.

Broadcast weekly on Channels TV (DSTV) and Channels 24 UK (Sky 515), and streamed globally on YouTube, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.

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📺 Watch the full episode on TV:
• DSTV: Mondays at 8:30 PM (Repeat: Saturdays at 3:30 PM)
• Channels 24 UK (Sky 515): Sundays at 1:30 PM (Repeat: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM)

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